Subject: Recent developments in the valley
From: Alisher Khamidov (alisher@elcat1.osh.su)
Date: Wed Oct 27 1999 - 19:00:47 EDT
[This notice was posted on 26 Oct., but was mysteriously not distributed by
the list, so we post it again. --Ferghana-Valley List Management]
Hello dear all,
Recent developments in the valley
Official relations between Tashkent and Bishkek are experiencing the worst
period ever in the history. TV-stations, papers in Uzbekistan are openly
blaming Kyrhgyz government for weak and inapt actions towards terrorists
and guerrilla activities in Batken.
Kyrghyz opposition media is heavily criticizing official Tashkent and
president Karimov. A Kyrghyz parliament member labeled Uzbekistan number 1
threat for Kyrghyzstan.
Kyrghyz president Akaev is also chastized by nationalist Kyrghyz papers for
being very conciliatory and passive towards Tashkent.
In the meantime, barbed wire and border demarkation along
Uzbekistan-Kyrghyzstan borders is launched. Osh is regarded as a terrorist
activity zone in official Tashkent.
Many people in Osh are depressed about this, and the rumors that soon
Uzbekistan will require an entry visa makes it worse.
Uzbek families in Osh are frustrated about this, because they have many
relatives in Uzbekistan. The situation at the customs checkpoints has become
even worse. According to Kyrghyz opposition press,Uzbek customs officers
suspect every person to be a terrorist. "Vecherni Bishkek" published a
very compelling article with the facts when Uzbkek customs officials forced
Kyrghyz citizen to undress completely in order to detect drugs or weapons.
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